The Color Truth parses diverse influences
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:26:00 CST - The Color Truth -- a band that got together while its members worked at a local music shop -- is still young, but it's got a mature alternative rock / pop sound that encompasses its diverse influences. We talked to singer and guitarist Zach Steinbach about how the band got to where it is today.

OnMilwaukee.com's infinite Valentine's Day playlist
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 11:41:00 CST - A good soundtrack is the perfect complement to any love story. Whether they make us tingle with fond memories or burn with passion, certain songs can trigger a special spark in all of us. This Valentine's Day, we've scoured through our libraries to find a collection of tracks that get us in the mood for love.

Milwaukee's best martinis, 2009: Hi-Hat Lounge
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:19:00 CST - Tradition says a classic martini is a cocktail made with gin and dry vermouth. Inviting vodka to the party has, more recently, opened the floodgates and significantly blurred the lines of martini qualifications. Most of what you see today is just a frou-frou drink in a martini glass. But, regardless of your flavor preference, a good drink is a good drink, and the readers of OnMilwaukee.com know one when they have one. That's why it's no surprise they chose the Hi-Hat Lounge as purveyor of the city's best martinis.

Saturday Scorecard: NBA's style trumps substance
Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:38:00 CST - Other than some foisting funky footwear fashion on an unsuspecting public, the NBA All-Star Weekend doesn't seem to have as much juice as it once did. Here are some suggestions to make it better.

The dangers of drinking
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:38:00 CST - When it comes to drinking, the real dangers lie in the more serious, life changing and long term effects of alcohol. Drinking and driving might be the first one to come to mind but addiction, liver disease, date rape and unprotected sex are all often the result of heavy nights of binge drinking over a prolonged period of time.

OnMilwaukee.com Sports Weekend Preview
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:32:00 CST - The Admirals offer a humorous twist with their promotion Sunday afternoon at the Bradley Center. The 4 p.m. game against Quad City has been declared "Dog Day Afternoon." Fans can bring their dogs to the game and enjoy the action from the 400 level. Admission for four-legged friends is $2, with $1 of that benefiting the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Milwaukee's best lounge, 2009: At Random
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:25:00 CST - When Milwaukeeans feel like lounging, they have plenty of options, as demonstrated by this survey (there were more than 20 choices). Competition may be steep, but the readers of OnMilwaukee.com have little trouble singling out their favorite in the category: At Random.

OnMilwaukee.com Weekend Preview: Feb. 13-15
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:28:00 CST - This weekend, the Admirals, Wave and Marquette are all in town while Buckwheat Zydeco, Poi Dog Pondering and Celtic Woman are just a few of the musical acts on stage. It's the last weekend for several theater shows including "I Do! I Do!" and "Trouble in Mind" so make sure to pick up some tickets and catch a show before it's too late.

A cool present to enjoy the day AFTER Christmas
Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:28:00 CST - With help from Cascio Interstate Music and Rehorst Vodka, OnMilwaukee.com presents the first-ever "Holiday Extravaganza and Re-gifting Party" at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26 at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave.

The most wonderful night of the year (for a cocktail)
Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:14:00 CST - The discussion cropped up in the editorial office the other day and we thought it would make a good discussion for Thanksgiving Eve. What is your favorite night of the year to enjoy a social drink? Is it tonight, which has a "reunion" vibe? Is it New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day or Opening Day, which have a "see how long you can stand" vibe? Is it Halloween, which has an "incognito" vibe? Or, is it another night that strikes your fancy?

Cubs, Astros square off for two games at Miller Park
Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:02:00 CST - With Hurricane Ike wreaking havoc on the Gulf Coast, Major League Baseball has moved two games of the Houston-Chicago series to Miller Park. The games will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at 1 p.m. Monday.

Shocking fundraiser draws fire from the ACLU
Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:15:00 CST - The Combined Locks Police Department wanted to raise money for Special Olympics. The noble gesture lost a little gloss in some circles when it offered to have officers absorb shocks from taser guns in exchange for $500 donations.

Bucks' playoff hopes still strong
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:30:00 CST - They've matched their total victories from last season. They've scored 100 points in three straight games. They're sharing the ball. They're playing defense. And, even without three key players, the Bucks -- 26-29 at the all-star break -- are still in playoff contention.

Family Weekend Roundup: Feb. 13-15, 2009
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:43:00 CST - Take your little valentines to one of the many family-friendly events happening this weekend in Brew City, including Winterfest, a sweethearts' dance, a valentine's story time and more.

OnMilwaukee.com Recommends: Feb. 12, 2009
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:19:00 CST - In honor of Bar Month, we decided to dedicate this entire edition of OnMilwaukee.com to Libation Nation. We're recommending a tasty old fashioned from Bryant's Cocktail Lounge (pictured) along with a cool Guinness gizmo, a great drinking movie, an innovative and handy ring, a "chick drink" treat and a classic cocktail. We urge you to check them all out and apologize in advance if we make you thirsty.

Beer and bar dice are lasting Milwaukee traditions
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:27:00 CST - Milwaukee is a bar dice kind of town. Walk into places like Steny's, Tracks or Slim's during happy hour and you're greeted with the sounds of dice clacking and leather cups slamming onto the bar. Unless it's a posh club, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Milwaukee bar that doesn't have a dice cup or two for when the nights are slow.

Best live music bar, 2009: Cactus Club
Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:38:00 CST - Live music and cold beer go hand in hand, which is way so many Milwaukee bars double as concert venues. But when it comes down to it -- when you really think about the quintessential place to watch a band in this city -- it's tough to compete with the Cactus Club's stronghold on the scene for the past decade or so.

Plan your wedding Versailles style
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:35:00 CST - This is not your grandmother's wedding show. The "Marie Antoinette: Let Them Eat Cake" event is a fresh take on the typical fanfare, incorporating modern style and vintage flair into a fun, interactive evening that feels more like a gala than a bridal expo.

Bar "regulars" add consistency to the scene
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:38:00 CST - Many drinkers like to hang out where they are recognized and have instant social interaction, even if it's with people with whom they have little in common beyond the bar stool. Local bartenders and a bar regular weigh in on the pros and cons of repeat customers in this OnMilwaukee.com Bar Month special feature.

Chef profile: Dominic Zumpano of Umami Moto
Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:23:00 CST - When restaurateur Omar Shaikh re-fashioned Eve, 718 N. Milwaukee St., into Umami Moto last July -- along with co-owners Michael Polaski and Tom Wachman -- he brought in 30-year-old Dominic Zumpano to helm the kitchen. We recently asked Zumpano about his background and a few of his favorite things.